A sensational new complaint obtained by PEOPLE alleges that Kanye West, now legally known as Ye, embarked on a sinister scheme, engaging a fixer to delve into the depths of his ex-wife Kim Kardashian's family and secretly employing a private investigator to shadow his current wife, Bianca Censori. The explosive lawsuit, filed by a Michigan-based John Doe in Los Angeles on October 7, accuses the rapper of emotional distress, retaliatory measures, and brazen violations of labor laws, seeking damages exceeding seven figures, inclusive of unpaid wages.
Doe, a former trusted member of Ye's Yeezy empire, recounts being tasked by the 47-year-old musician to unravel supposed criminal ties the Kardashians allegedly had with nefarious enterprises, including the heinous accusation of sex trafficking. The plaintiff further claims that Ye instructed him to secretly hire investigators to tail Censori during her solo trip to Australia, all without her knowledge.
The narrative takes a darker turn as Doe alleges that around May 14, 2024, Ye embarked on a spree of layoffs at Yeezy, coinciding with his decision to acquire titanium teeth and indulge in nitrous oxide, leading to erratic behavior that Doe attributes to these actions. Amidst the turmoil, Doe found himself tasked with "fixing" Ye's myriad issues, including investigating missing or stolen items, which often triggered further investigations. The former staffer paints a picture of Ye as one prone to losing expensive possessions and neglecting to settle debts incurred on his behalf.
Adding fuel to the fire, Doe claims he received a chilling call from a Donda Academy employee, revealing allegations of child abuse within the school's walls, with no apparent effort to address or report the issue. As a military veteran grappling with PTSD, Doe dared to bring these grave accusations to the attention of Yeezy's leadership, only to be met with a furious phone call from Ye himself, laced with curses and death threats should Doe dare to repeat the accusations.
"You're f*cking dead to me!" the complaint quotes Ye as menacingly telling Doe. The plaintiff further alleges that in the days following, he was subjected to threats of violence from Ye's associates, leaving him terrified and seeking anonymity for his own safety.
"Ye has only himself to blame for his mounting legal troubles," declared Ron Zambrano, Doe's attorney and employment litigation expert at West Coast Employment Lawyers. "His reckless disregard for employee rights, coupled with his threatening behavior, is unacceptable and must be held accountable." Zambrano emphasized that his client's fear of Ye's unpredictable and menacing demeanor compelled him to remain anonymous.
"Threatening an employee with bodily harm or death is not only illegal but morally reprehensible," Zambrano concluded. Representatives for Ye, Censori, and the Kardashian family either declined comment or could not be reached by PEOPLE.
This lawsuit stands as yet another in a string of legal battles facing Ye, stemming from disgruntled former employees and controversies surrounding his private Christian school, Donda Academy. Earlier in June, Ye's ex-assistant Lauren Pisciotta filed a lawsuit accusing him of sexual harassment and creating a hostile work environment, prompting Ye to counter with accusations of blackmail and extortion. However, court records indicate no lawsuit has been filed by Ye against Pisciotta to date.
